Page:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol 29.djvu/439

1860.] shandra, and I was myself inclined to adopt Harischandra, but I feel satisfied now that the true reading is Hoveshkasa.

"Three of the Mathura inscriptions are dated in figures the same as those on the Sah coins of Saurashtra, but with addition of the puzzling 🞪, a real unknown quantity, which is also found in the Ariano Pali inscriptions of Manikyala and Wardak. One correction of a previous error I have already derived from these inscriptions—namely that the character di, which I read as 10 in the Sanchi inscription, is really a contraction for divasa = day. The date of the Sanchi inscription is therefore san 93 Bhádrapada di 4.—"In the year 931 Bhádrpad, 4th day."

"Amongst the Muttra inscriptions there is one recording the gift of a statue of Sákya Bhikshu, on the pedestal of a small standing figure. Amongst the names of donors are Buddhánanda, Buddhaghosta, and Buddarakshita. Amongst the sculptures are the well known representation of Máyá, the mother of Buddha, holding the branch of the Sál tree previous to her confinement. There are also the birth of Buddha (the infant with a halo round his head); the meditation; the teaching; and the death. There are several colossal figures of Buddha, and numerous pillars belonging to that peculiar kind of stone enclosure which I have named the "Buddhist railing." No less than twenty-six bases of pillars have already been found; and more will no doubt be found hereafter. Altogether I consider that the mounds of Mathura most probably contain remains of greater antiquity than those of Benares, and I look forward to further discoveries with much interest."

Dr. Sprenger writes from Berne that he has already printed some 200 pages of his continuation of the Life of Mahommed.

In the following extract from a letter from Mr. E. C. Bayley, dated 10th November, will be found an interesting passage regarding plated coins, an instance of which occurred among some old Egyptian coins lately presented to the Society by Mr. C. J. Evans. Mr. B. Also pursues the subject of the identification of 'Sahet Mahet' described in his previous letter on the information communicated to him by Rájah Maun Singh.